Original Item: One of a Kind. Recently purchased at an estate sale, this is a great USGI Bring-Back wartime production high grade Japanese officer Katana in the Type 98 Shin-Gunto (九八式軍刀 kyūhachi-shiki guntō) setting. These type of fittings (koshirae) are slightly simplified compared to the earlier Type 94. The blade tang is signed by the maker, and appears to be handmade in the traditional fashion. A Shin-Guntō (新軍刀, new military sword) is a weapon and symbol of rank used by the Imperial Japanese Army between the years of 1935 and 1945. It also has a very nice rank tassel attached to the pommel.

The blade on this example was hand forged, and the tang of the blade is signed (Mei) with the characters 濃 州 住 武 山 義 尚 謹 作, read as NOSHU JU TAKEYAMA YOSHINAO KIN SAKU. This basically translates to "Takeyama Yoshinao made this in Noshu Province." Research indicates that this smith's real name was 武山 勲 (Takeyama Isao), so in this case "Takeyama" was their family name, and "Yoshinao" their "swordsmith name." We have examined other examples of their signature (Oshigata), and confirmed the style.

This smith is listed in Kurihara Hikosaburo's 1942 listing of Wartime Japanese swordsmiths (tosho). He reported about 400 gunto tosho's ranking at the Tosho Banzuke (刀匠番附), and classified these into 7 ranks. YOSHINAO is listed as a 中作 (CHU SAKU) level smith, which is the 5th rank out of 7, an "above average" level smith. YOSHINAO also appears also in the Seki Tanrensho Booklet printed in 1939, and they were active during the Showa Period and worked at Seki arsenal in Gifu, Mino Province (美濃国), who stamped the blade with the arsenal proof 関 (Seki) above the mei.

The blade is handmade and was expertly crafted by a sword maker, which is indicated by a few tell-tale characteristics that include:

- Hole in the tang is punched and not drilled.

- Visible temper line ("hamon") with crystallization visible (Nie and Nioi)

- Blade is signed on the tang by the maker ("Mei") as well as dated.

- Blade has a proper geometric Yokote at the tip (kissaki) with a Boshi (tip temper line)

- Visible HADA (grain) in the body of the blade and lamination in the temper line.

Offered in very good condition, the blade is still sharp and looks great. There are no nicks on the edge or dents that we can see, just some light scuffing in areas. Overall the polish on the blade is good, with some areas of light staining oxidation, probably due to not being oiled. Blade length is approximately 26 1/2 inches and overall length 37 1/2 inches. The katana has a handmade blade with a Futsu 普通 (regular) Nakago (tang) with Haagari (asymmetrical rounded) nakago-jiri (tang tip). 

The blade also has a proper kissaki (tip) with a clear yokote (division between body and tip) and boshi (tip temper line). The main edge Temper line (hamon) is fully visible, and is a very attractive GUNOME (zig zag) with just a bit of Choji (Clover Tree Flower) aspects. Along the transition there are clear NIE crystals visible, with cloudy areas of NIOI in the body of the hamon, and some niceactivity. The body of the blade (JI) also shows hada (grain), which is the MASAME (straight) pattern. The tip temper line (boshi) is visible, but the "turnback" at the spine is not clear.

The blade mountings are the classic later WWII era Type 98 Army Shin-Gunto style, brass with gilt accents. Rounded "quince" shaped tsuba (cross guard) with brass Imperial Army cherry blossom menuki (grip decoration), and a nice Kabuto-Gane (Pommel Cap). The cross guard and pommel cap have matching cherry blossom motifs, which are also found on the scabbard fittings, and the fuchi (grip collar). There are 6 Seppa (spacers) around the cross guard to keep the fit tight, and all are inleted for the scabbard lock, which is fully functional. The blade collar (habaki) looks to be the standard plated brass alloy.

The handle (tsuka) has an nice Sa-Me (Stingray) grip, which is fully intact. It has a complete brown Ito (cloth binding), which shows light staining and light wear. There is a single wooden securing peg (mekugi) still present, which looks to be a replacement. The Scabbard (saya) is steel over wood, and in very good condition, with most of the original textured paint intact. It has only a few small dents and scrapes, and has the correct single hanger loop of the Type 98 style. The top fitting is inleted for the scabbard lock on the hilt, and the lock works correctly. One of the two small brass screws for the throat fitting is missing unfortunately.

The tsuka, tsuba, and all SIX spacers are all marked with matching number 12, and the tsuka also is marked with 1675. Even the scabbard lock is marked 12! This indicates that this set of KOSHIRAE (fittings) are a matched set, all made for this specific blade. The inside of the scabbard is worn, so we cannot see any markings there.

Attached to the pommel cap loop is a Brown and Blue colored Tassel, which has somewhat worn from use and age. This signifies that this was carried by a "company grade" officer, which would be a Lieutenant or Captain rank. It is in very good condition and totally correct.

An incredible handmade Japanese Type 98 Shin-gunto by a known maker, this is a real USGI bring-back from WWII, ready to display and cherish!

Specifications:
Blade Length: 26 1/2"
Blade Style: Katana
Overall length: 37 1/2“
Scabbard Length: 28 3/4"

It has been over one thousand years ago that the art of making swords appeared in Japan. The swordsmiths of the time may not have known it but they were creating a legendary sword. The Samurai sword has seen combat in many battlefields. From the early days of the Samurai warrior to the fierce battles in the South Pacific during WWII.

Each hand-made Samurai sword is unique because it is forged from folded steel stock. A tremendous amount of work is dedicated to creating these pieces. They were an instrument of war as much as a beautiful artifact to adorn a room.

The Samurai sword has grown to be one of the most highly desired military antiques.